Abstract: A steam turbomachine includes a housing having a shell that defines a steam flow path, a first stage bowl cavity formed in the shell, a first stage including a plurality of first stage nozzles and a plurality of first stage buckets arranged downstream of the plurality of first stage nozzles, a second stage including a plurality of second stage nozzles and a plurality of second stage buckets arranged downstream of the plurality of second stage nozzles. The second stage is arranged downstream of the first stage along the steam flow path. A bypass circuit is formed in the shell. The bypass circuit extends from a first end fluidically connected to the first stage bowl cavity to a second end fluidically exposed to the steam flow path upstream of the second stage. A valve element is positioned in, and selectively blocks, the bypass circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for routing fluid in a steam turbine is provided. The steam turbine includes a stage comprising a plurality of buckets secured to a rotor. The rotor is configured to rotate in response to a first volume of fluid flowing from an inlet passageway past the plurality of buckets. The apparatus includes a member having a fluid passageway extending therethrough. The fluid passageway includes a first end in fluid communication with a discharge side of the stage of the steam turbine. A second volume of fluid comprising a portion of the first volume of fluid is received into the fluid passageway at the discharge side of the stage and is discharged out of an outlet of the fluid passageway. The outlet is in fluid communication with a region between an upstream side of the stage and a sealing member disposed against the rotor. The region receives a third volume of leakage fluid from the upstream side of the stage.